Due to the recent earthquake/tsunami on March 11th in Japan, I thought it would be wise if Tony and I become knowledgeable on the safety precautions that we need to take when travelling to disaster-prone regions around the world. After all, Chile will be our first destination on the RTW trip – the same place where an 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit back in February 2010!
So while I do not have any personal experiences with travelling to places where Mother Nature just loves to beat on (unless you count California), I have found some helpful references from some more knowledgeable folks:
- First and foremost, regardless of where you travel, you should pack the proper safety gizmos to help you with any bumps along the road.
- In addition to packing the bare emergency necessities, it is always advised to travel with the proper medical coverage . The article, Travel Insurance 101: The Complete Guide to Travel Insurance, has everything you need to know about travel insurance (including information on the different types of plans out there) . If you want further clarification on what type of traveler you are, here is some extra guidance to help you pick the medical coverage that is right for you.
- Before planning your travels, gain an understanding on the disaster-prone countries/regions for each month of the year and plan accordingly. For example, don’t plan a sailing excursion in the Caribbean during the peak of hurricane season! This map of all these risky regions has you covered! This slideshow also takes you through the earthquake prone regions, which are a little harder to plan around.
- In the rare (and unfortunate) situation that you are stuck in the middle of a chaotic natural disaster while on your trip, Teresa Gotay provides excellent advice on how to deal with a natural disaster while travelling.
- In addition to Teresa’s guidance, Backpacker Chris shares a story in Frommers on Winnie Cheong’s experience with the recent 8.9 quake in Tokyo, and provides even greater advice on what to do when nature is unpredictable during your travels.
In conclusion, natural disasters should not deter you from your dreams to travel the globe, but it is imperative to be prepared for any curveballs that may come your way during your travels. Recent global tragedies prove that shit actually does happen!
Exhausted from traveling every week as a Business Management Consultant early in my career, I took a year off in 2012 to travel at my own pace. I am a high-energy girl that loves being active, eating food, drinking wine, and exploring the world with my partner-in-crime (and husband), Tony! I now reside in Portland, Oregon and continue to write about travel, food, wine, and the awesome adventures we have in the Pacific NW!
Thanks for featuring my article! Glad the tips helped!
You’re welcome Teresa! With all the extreme weather we have been having lately, it is important to be knowledgeable and prepared for the unexpected…Especially when on the road!
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